Apparatus for treating slimes, &amp;c. for the recovery of the precious metals.



No. 812,418. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906. 0. GLUYAS,

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES, &c., FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE PRECIOUS METALS.

APPLICATION I'll-21D MAYS, 1905.

' s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 812,418. PATENTED FEB. 13,, 1906. c. GLUYAS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES, &0., FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE PRECIOUS METALS.

APPLIOATION FILED M Y 1 A 906 s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m QQ No. 812,418. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906. O. GLUYAS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES, &0., FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE PRECIOUS METALS.

APPLICATION FILED M Y3 1905. Y

A 3SHEETSSHEET3.

66 z z F UNITED STATES PATENT UFFIQIQ;

CHARLES GLUYAS. OF JOHANNESBURG. TRANSVAAL. APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES, &c., FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE PRECIOUS METALS.

No. 812,418. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 13, 1906. Application filed May 3,1905. Serial No. 258,676.

To all whomit may O cient number of the settling-boxes is pro- Be it known that I, CHARLES GLUYAs, a vided, (varying with the quantity of slimes subject ofthe King of Great Britain, residing or material to be dealt with or treated,) so at Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented that the final overflow from said boxes is certain new and useful Improvements in Appractically clear liquid, which may be passed 60 aratus for Treating -Slimes Produced in the along launders or pipes to a sump, from Reduction of Auriferou's Ores for the Recovwhich it may be pumped or drawn to the mill cry of the Precious Metal, of which the followservice-reservoir for ordinary milling purposes ing is a specification. or otherwise, as may be desired. In the ar The present invention has reference to an rangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 four paral- 6 apparatus or plant designedfor the treatlel rows of the settling-boxes are provided. ment of the slimes (the finer particles of pul- The launder 1 is arranged between the two verized ore) produced in the reduction of aucenter rows of boxes, and the slimes flow riferous ore for the purpose of recovering or through holes or apertures formed in the ver- 1 5 extracting the precious metal therefrom. tical sides of the launder 1 into the two center 70 The object of the present invention is to or intermediate rows 2 3 of said settlingprovide a plant in which the process of treatboxes or at each side of said launder 1. In ing the slimes may be carried on continuthese two parallel rows 2 3 of the boxes into ously and in an efficient manner at comparawhich the slimes first pass from the launder 1 2o tively small cost, thereby enabling low-grade the bulk of the solid matter contained in the 7 5 slimes to be treated profitably. slimes is collected. The overflow from the My improved plant calls for very little attwo rows 2 3 of boxes then flows in the direc tention. It can be run by unskilled labor, tion indicated by the arrows into the two and a very high extraction of the precious outside and parallel rows of boxes 4 5. In

metal is obtained. In it the slimes remain in these two rows 4 5 of boxes practically the 80 contact with the cyanid or other solvent so- Whole of the solid matter remaining in the lution for a prolonged period, and the mixliquid after it leaves the boxes 2 3 is collectture of slimes and solution being always exed, so that the final overflow from the boxes posed to the atmosphere is thereby thor- 4 5 is practically clear liquid. As previously oughly aerated, and, further, said mixture is explained, this final overflow may be con- 8 5 subjected to a continuous agitation during ducted to a sump for further use. The set the whole period that the material is under tlin -boxes may be of the usual construction, treatment. Another important advantage as illustrated in Figs. 3 and lthat is to say, of the improved plant lies in the comparathey may be constructed with vertical sides tivelysmall initial cost of construction. 6 for a portion of their height and then be in 0 In order that the construction and arrangeclined to a bottom discharge-outlet 7. The ment of my improved plant may be more settling-boxes are also preferably fitted with readily understood, I append explanatory baffle plates or boards 8, which serve for condrawings thereof, which are marked with nuducting the inflowing stream down into the merals of reference corresponding to the foll box or preventing said stream flowing direct 5 lowing description. to the overflow. The division or partition 9 Figure 1 represents in side elevation the between the rows of boxes is somewhat less general arrangement of the plant, and Fig. 2 i in height than the other sides 6 of the box, represents it in plan. Fig. 3 is a sectional and the baffle plate or board 10 is arranged in elevation of one of the settling-boxes. Fig. connection with the partition 9 to cause the 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a overflow to pass under it or preventit passing sectional elevation of the wheels employed direct to 'the overflow. In Fig. 3 the disfor elevating the mixture during the process charge-outlet 7 at the bottom of the box is of treatment. constructed in the main sill or plank upon 50 In the general arrangement of the plant, as i which the box is built. In the outlets 7 are [0 5 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, 1 represents a fitted T-pieces11.,onebranchcommunicating launder or trough, along which the slimes with the interior of the settling-box, another (the residue after the sands or coarser partibranch being fitted with a blow-ofl' cock, an d cles of the pulverized ore have been removed) the other branch being fitted with a valve 12 5 5 flow to a series of settling-boxes. A suffi:

for regulating the discharge. To this valve 12 is attached the upwardly-inclined. discharge-pipe 13, which is carried up to a suitable height and then turned downward and at its extremity fitted with a reduced nozzle 14 or otherwise constructed with a restricted orifice of such a size that the matter or concentrated slimes passing or discharged through it are of a suitable density or consistency. The slimes or solid matter is separated from the water or other liquid in the settling-boxes, and the discharge-pipes 13 being carried up for about half the height of the boxes (more or less) have the effect of concentrating the slimes to some extent, so that they are discharged with a much smaller quantity of Water than would otherwise be possible. The pipes 13 are arranged to discharge the concentrated slimes into launders 15, which latter at their lower ends communicate with another launder 16, hereinafter referred to. 4

17 is a pipe which serves for conducting the cyanid or other solvent solution to mix with the concentrated slimes as they flow down the launders into the launder 16, and 18 represents branch pipes from the solution pipe 17, discharging the solution into the launders 15 at their upper ends. The source of supply of the solvent solution to the pipes 17 is hereinafter stated. The cyanid or other solvent solution is of a suitable strength and a steady and continuous supply is maintained in the launders 15. The quantity of the solvent solution flowing into the laun ders 15 is approximately equal to that of the concentrated slimes or in the proportion of one of solution to one of slimes, and as they fiow down said launders they are thereby thoroughly mixed.

A tank 19 of any suitable construction is provided for holding lime-water, and a pipe 20, leading from said tank 19, serves for conducting a quantity of said lime-water to the slimes in the launder 1 before it enters the settling-boxes, and 21 is a branch pipe from the pipe for conducting a suitable small quantity of the lime-water to the mixture of concentrated slimes and solvent solution in the launder 16 in order to render it slightly alkaline.

Arranged in a convenient position in relation to the settling-boxes is an arrangement of four elevating-wheels or two twin or compound wheels. (Shown in detail in Fig. 5.) The bearings 22 for the wheels 23, as shown in Fig. 1, are carried by means of trestles 24 or other suitable structure. The wheels 23 are of such construction that they provide four separate and distinct compartments, the buckets 25 of each compartment serving to receive and elevate four separate and distinct streams. As shown in Fig. 5, the wheels 23 are two twin or compound wheels, of which 26 represents the first compartment, and 27 the second compartment, of the first Wheel, and 28 and 29 the first and second compartments, respectively, of the second wheel. 30 represents the shaft upon which the wheels are mounted, 31 the centers or hubs of the wheels, 32 the arms or spokes of the wheels, and 33 the caps, rings, or cylinders which form the peripheries of the wheels. The two wheels 23 are rigidly connected by means of the braces 34, which pass through the arms 32. Between the wheels 23 and mortised or otherwise fixed to the arms 32 are a number of bearers or carriers 35 for a ring 36, round which is secured a ring or cylinder 37, which forms the face of the wheel, through the medium of which the elevatingwheels 23 are driven.

The elevating-wheels 23 are driven by means of a belt 38 from a driving-pulley 39, to which motion is imparted in any suitable manner.

The launder 16 discharges the mixture of slimes and solvent solution into the buckets 25 of the compartment 26 of the firstwheel 23. In this compartment 26 the mixture is elevated and delivered into a launder 40, along which it is conducted to the top of What I may designate the first circulating-tower 41. This tower 41 consists of a number of superimposed and suitably-inclined launders, along which the mixture flows in a more or less spiral course from the top to the bottom of said tower 41. Spaces are left between the tiers of launders to allow air to circulate freely through the towers. The mixture leaves this tower 41 by the launder 42, by means of which it is conducted into the buckets 25 in the second compartment 27 of the first wheel 23. In this compartment 27 the mixture is elevated to another launder 43, along which it flows to a second circulatingtower 44, similar in construction to the first circulating-tower 41, but arranged inside the latter. The mixture then leaves the second circulatingtower 44 by the launder 45, by means of which it is conducted and delivered into the first compartment 28 of the second wheel, which in like manner elevates it to a launder 46, conducting it to a third tower 47 of like construction. The mixture passes out of the third circulating-tower 47 along the launder 48 to a series of settling-boxes 49, in which the solvent solution is separated from the solid matter. In Figs. 3 and 4 the settling-boxes provided at this point are represented. In these figures, 48 is the launder from the third circulating-tower 47, shown communicating with two inclined launders 48 48 at the head of the first series of settling-boxes. From these latter launders the mixture flows in front of the baflie-plates 8. 50 represents the second series of settlingboxes for separating the solvent solution from the solid matter or slimes. The overflow from this second series of settlingboxes 50 passes into a launder 51, along which I it flows to a filter-box 52 and from the latter through extractor-boxes 53, by means of which the gold is extracted from the solvent solution. 54 is a pipe which serves for conducting the solvent solution after it has passed through the extractor-boxes 53 to the first or strong solution sump 55. In the filters any slime or solid matter which may be carried in suspension in the liquid is removed, which prevents the slime or solid matter being carried into the extractor-boxes, and the fouling of the zinc shavingsis thereby prevented. The slimes separated from the first or strong solution by means of the settling-boxes 49 are delivered into launders 56 57, which communicate with alaunder 58. 59 is apipe which serves for conducting a second and weaker cyanid or other solvent solution to the head of the launders 56 57 to mix with the slimes from the settling-boxes 49 50. The second or weaker solution is thoroughly mixed with,

the slimes as they flow down the launders 56, 57 ,and 58, along which latter they are conducted to the second compartment 29 of the second wheel 23. In this compartment 29 of the second wheel the slimes and weaker solution are raised to a launder 60, along which the mixture flows to a fourth circulatingtower 61 of the same construction as those previously described. The mixture leaves the fourth circulating-tower 61 at the bottom by the launder 62, along which it flows to a launder 63, which serves for distributing it into the first series 64 of the weaker-solution separating boxes. 65 represents the second series of the weaker-solution settlingboxes into which the overflow from the first series 64 passes. The overflow of the weaker solvent solution from the second series 65 is conducted into a separate filter-box 66, from which it passes through separate extractorboxes 67, finally leaving the latter by a pipe 68 for the weak-solution sump or tank 69. The pipe 59, serving for supplying the weaker cyanid solution, is shown communicating with the weak-solution sump 69, which constitutes the source of supply of the weaker solution. The supply of the first or stronger cyanid solution flowing along the pipe 17 to the launders15 and 16 is shown communicating with the strong-solution sump 55, which constitutes the source of supply. In order to maintain the solution in the sump at the requisite strength, a-quantity of cyanid solution is added to the solution as it leaves the extractor-boxes 53 on its way to the sump 55 or otherwise, as preferred.

70 71 are launders which serve for receiving the slimes from the weak-solution settlingboxes 64 and for conducting the same to the waste-dam or otherwise, as preferred.

It will be obvious that instead of using a weak solvent solution for mixing with the slimes after the stronger solution has been extracted I may use a water wash, or by suitlutions and a final water wash.

able additions to the plant I may use a first or strong solution and then either one or more weak solutions or one or more weak so- It will also be evident that by means of the circulatingtowers and wheels I obtain a prolonged contact of the cyanid or other solvent solution with the slimes, that I obtain a thorough aeration of the mixture, and that a continu ous agitation of the mixture is obtained in the wheels and circulating-towers, thewheels serving for elevating the mixture as well as for agitating it. Y

While I prefer the arrangement of the wheels for elevating the mixture to the circulating-towers, other means may be employed in substitution therefor, such as a suitable arrangement of pumps.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. In apparatus for treating metal-bearing material, a plurality of elevating-wheels and aerating devices interposed in the circuit of the material between said elevating devices; substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for treating metal-bearing material, a plurality of elevating devices, and aerating devices comprising a plurality of superposed launders interposed in the circuit of the material between said elevating devices; substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for treating metal-bearing materia a plurality of elevating devices, and aerating devices comprising a plurality of superposed helically-disposed launders interposed in the circuit of the material between said elevating devices; substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for treating metal-bear-. ing material, a plurality of elevating-wheels arranged side by side, and aerating devices interposed in the circuit of the material between said elevating-wheels; substantially as described.

5. In ap aratus for treating metal-bearing materia an elevating device comprising a wheel having a plurality of sets of elevating-buckets, means for driving said wheel, and means for conveying the material to said sets of buckets in succession; substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for treating metal-bearing material, an elevating device comprising a plurality of wheels, each provided with a plurality of sets of elevating-buckets, means or'driving said wheels, and means for conveying the material in succession to said several sets of buckets; substantially as described. I

7. In apparatus for treating metal-bearing material, an elevating device comprising a plurality of wheels, each provided with a plurality of sets of elevating-buckets, means for driving said wheels, means for conveying the material in succession to said several sets & 812,418

of buckets, and aerating devices interposed superposed launders interposed in said conin said conveying means; substantially as deveying means; substantially as described. scribed. In Witnesswhereo'f I have hereunto set my 8. In apparatus for treating metal-bearhand in the presence of tWo subscribing Wit- 5 ing material, an elevating device comprising nesses. Y

a plurality of Wheels, each provided With a plurality of sets of elevating-buckets, means CHARLES GLUYAS' for driving said Wheels, means for conveying Witnesses:

the material in succession to said several sets OHAs. OVENDALE,

IO of buckets, and aerating devices comprising R. OVENDALE. 

